Fozzy Whittaker: His consistently strong running and ability to return kicks cannot be ignored. Keeping Whittaker and Brown may be a hedge against injury.

Le’Ron McClain

Offensive line

D.J. Fluker

Jeromey Clary

Nick Hardwick

Chad Rinehart

King Dunlap

Mike Harris: He’s to be commended for taking advantage of the opportunity to compete with Starks, just as the coaching staff is to be commended for giving him a chance.

Rich Ohrnberger

Dave Molk

Tight ends

Antonio Gates

John Phillips

Ladarius Green

Receivers

Malcom Floyd

Vincent Brown

Keenan Allen

Eddie Royal

Seyi Ajirotutu

Defensive line

Corey Liuget

Cam Thomas

Kendall Reyes

Kwame Geathers

Damik Scafe

Jarius Wynn

Outside linebackers

Dwight Freeney

Jarret Johnson

Larry English

Tourek Williams

Frank Beltre: He edges Thomas Keiser based on special teams ability.

Inside linebackers

Donald Butler

Manti Te’o

D.J. Smith

Bront Bird

Andrew Gachkar

Cornerbacks

Derek Cox

Shareece Wright

Richard Marshall

Johnny Patrick: Was set to be the No. 1 nickel back. Two concussions and the arrival of Marshall likely will push Patrick to No. 4 corner.

Marcus Cromartie: Patrick’s tenuous health and Cromartie’s special teams ability make him a viable option.

Safeties

Eric Weddle

Marcus Gilchrist

Brandon Taylor

Jahleel Addae

Darrell Stuckey

Place-kicker

Nick Novak

Punter

Mike Scifres

Long snapper

Mike Windt

It’s time for the fifth (and final) attempt to project the Chargers’ roster. What a chore it has been in this year of so much youth and so little depth. And it didn’t get any easier.

In their first pass at Take 5, U-T Chargers beat writer Michael Gehlken and columnist Kevin Acee came up with just 49 players worthy of making the final roster. A similar scene likely will play out in the coaches’ meeting room on Friday as the roster is winnowed from 75 players to 53.

Early this offseason, tackle Max Starks and wide receiver Robert Meachem were considered near locks before performance dictated otherwise. Neither makes this projection.

By no means will Saturday’s 53-man roster be the final cut. There could be as many as five players who survive the Aug. 31 cutdown who are not Chargers by Week 2.